What the Future Homes Standard means for the industry
Paul Kennington, technical director at Veka, highlights how systems houses, fabricators and installers must work together to ensure the fenestration industry welcomes building regulation reforms with strength and unity.
The fenestration industry is facing a period of unprecedented change. The Future Homes Standard in England will reshape how we work and the decisions we make now will determine our success and the direction of our sector.
I have worked through many industry consultations over the years. Some have been straightforward, others far more complex. When these consultations come into play, as an industry, we must respond to the call and share our collective voice. Otherwise, the risk is that decisions are made without the industry’s input to a point that rarely works in our favour.
Working together
For the first time, we are seeing real collaboration across the fenestration sector. The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has launched a new build housing group bringing together systems houses, fabricators, installers and regulatory bodies. Its aim is to resolve the grey areas around new build requirements.
I sit on a cross-association consultation group, originally formed around the Future Homes Standard. It includes GGF members, the British Plastics Federation, the Flat Glass Manufacturers Association, the British Woodworking Federation and the Council for Aluminium in Building. Building a strong and collaborative mix of voices has made the fenestration industry stronger and more credible with government.
This collaboration shows our industry has matured. We are no longer seen as the outsiders of construction. Government now views us as credible partners in delivering housing and environmental goals.
What to expect
The Future Homes Standard has been in the pipeline since 2019 and the publish date is expected imminently, the original plan was by autumn 2025 but there may be a slight delay. Its publication will be followed by a short implementation period and a 12-month transition before it will fully apply to new build dwellings in England.
The first change that is expected is that U-values will be calculated using an area weighted average. Using a total sum of all thermal performance figures, divided by the total area of windows in the property.
The second change to come into effect involves the current standard window configuration. It will not be acceptable for delivery of performance – instead, the exact size and configuration will be required, including ancillary products such as cills, frame extensions and through-glass Georgian bars.
The notional U-values are expected to remain at 1.2 w/m²K and 1.0 w/m²K for doors with limiting values likely to remain at 1.6 w/m²K, but dummy sashes and other elements can push values up. It will be for designers to balance performance across the building, as windows are just one part of the overall calculation, but the effects here could result in a reduction in design-led windows with through-glass Georgian bars to counteract poorer results.
At Veka, we are supporting our partners through this change by utilising our WinDoPlan calculation software. The intention is to make the transition simple and easy; the software can handle exact size and configuration and will soon include all ancillaries.
Veka’s M70 and Omnia products have impressive thermal performance. When measured against the traditional standard window size, they can deliver values as low as 0.79 W/m²K and even lower with the allowable tolerance.
It’s worth noting that Scotland is taking its own path in implementing new building standards and Wales is also reviewing energy standards, but neither of these new standards are expected to differ too greatly to that of the Future Homes Standard. The aim is to implement new standards by 2028, and the regulations for Scotland and Wales will be revealed in due course.
Preparation is key
The UK Government has an ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes – which is the highest housebuilding target seen since the 1970s – but progress remains slow.
Remediation costs, regulation and borrowing challenges for buyers are just some of the challenges slowing down the process. When volumes do pick up, it’s likely to be just as the Future Homes Standard comes into force, which means building and material costs will be rising at the same time.
The impact of the Future Homes Standard cannot be minimised. We will face more calculations, more documentation and more responsibility. But these standards will shape how homes are built for the next generation and will improve quality of life, safety and energy efficiency.
Companies who prepare now for the implementation of these standards will be better positioned when these changes take effect. Those who engage with consultations will help shape practical and fair regulations, and those who invest in the right tools and training will find the transition smoother.
As an industry, we have come a long way in how the government views us. If as a collective, we respond to consultations, stay ahead of the changes and use the tools available, we can make sure these new standards work for everyone.
The transformation is coming whether we are ready or not. The question is whether we will help shape it or simply react to it.
